CHAPTER 21 ■ SOLDERING EQUIPMENT
Some people prefer waterless brass sponges, such as SparkFun #TOL-08965 for $9.95. Brass is a
relatively soft metal, so it won’t damage the soldering iron tip. Don’t try substituting steel wool. It will scratch
the soldering iron and fine steel wool catches on fire (no kidding).
Helping-Hand Tool
Soldering requires two hands, one to hold the soldering iron and the other to hold the solder. A tool called a
“third hand” or “helping hand” steadily holds the circuit board or parts during soldering (see Figure 21-8).
Although a bench vise could be substituted for a helping-hand tool, the helping hand has two or more
hinged alligator clips that you can adjust to a wide variety of positions around the circuit board. If you’re
having trouble with the helping hand tipping over, you can grip the base of the helping hand in a bench vise
to keep the work piece steady.
Table 21-3 lists suppliers of the helping-hand tool. A two-inch magnifying lens is included with some
models, but I don’t find it clear enough or powerful enough to be particularly useful.
Table 21-3. Suppliers of the Helping-Hand or Third-Hand Tool
Supplier Part Number Price Attachments Included
Electronix Express 060834 $3.50 Two alligator clips
All Electronics HELPH-M $7.50 Two alligator clips and magnifying lens
Jameco 26690 $7.95 Two alligator clips and magnifying lens
SparkFun TOL-09317 $9.95 Two clips, magnifying lens, and iron holder
SparkFun TOL-11784 $34.95 Two flex arms with clips
Micro-Mark 21120 $10.45 Three alligator clips
Figure 21-8. Helping hand with adjustable alligator clips to hold pieces being soldered